Understanding Your Rights Pertaining to Wrongful Death

Michael BerestonDec 1, 2017

The death of a loved one is one of the most heartrending experiences you
could have in life. In the medical profession, one simple mistake can
have devastating results. At the law office of Michael H. Bereston, Inc.,
we have been there for clients in the aftermath of a tragedy that could
have been avoided. We feel it is important for Maryland residents to understand
their rights in a wrongful death situation.

First, you must realize the definition of
wrongful death. According to the Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute,
wrongful death is a fatality that occurs after someone’s negligence,
criminal behavior or professional misconduct resulted in the death of
someone else. For example, wrongful death cases often result after a car
accident in which the responsible party had been driving recklessly or
was intoxicated.

Wrongful death in the prenatal and obstetrics field might result from the
following situations:

The obstetrician failed to diagnose a serious condition, such as preeclampsia,
that ended up being fatal to the mother.

A pregnancy complication, such as a detached placenta, was not caught in
time, resulting in the death of the unborn baby.

A doctor or nurse made a mistake during labor or delivery, which resulted
in a fatal injury.

To qualify as
wrongful death, certain requirements must be met. You may need to show that the death
caused a financial injury to your family, such as significant medical
and funeral expenses or lost wages. This may be a difficult time, but
obtaining compensation for a wrongful death may hold the responsible party
accountable for their actions, as well as give you some closure. Our wrongful
death page explains more.

* The Law Firm of Michael H. Bereston, Inc.’s main office is located
in Annapolis, Maryland and is licensed in Maryland and the District of
Columbia. The Law Firm of Michael H. Bereston, Inc. practices nationwide
on a pro hac vice basis.